This book tells the story of the decision to use atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki from Truman’s assumption of the presidency in April 1945 to the actual bombings. It covers not only the high-level discussions and disagreements within the government, but also the events of the Potsdam Conference and the objections of some of the scientists who worked on the bomb. In addition, it provides information on the preparations for the bombings, including the Trinity Test, and it discusses Russian espionage and the training of the United States Army Air Force group that was to drop the bombs on Japan. The final chapter examines moral issues and controversies. It provides one perspective from the United States in the late 1950s.